TNT renews 'SouthLAnd' for 4th season

TNT does know drama. The cable network has renewed its powerful police series "SouthLAnd" for a 10-episode fourth season, it announced Tuesday.

So we will get to see how L.A.P.D. officer John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz) kicks his addiction to painkillers and how his former partner, Ben Sherman (Ben McKenzie), works with former Detective Sammy Bryant (Shawn Hatosy). And will Detective Lydia Adams (Regina King) continue to date her partner's son?

I can't wait to find out.

"SouthLAnd" started on NBC in spring 2009. After airing just seven episodes, the network put the show on its fall schedule, but changed its mind, shelving six new episodes it had paid to produce. TNT saved the show, airing those six episodes in spring 2010, then renewed it for a 10-episode third season that ended March 8. The network has given the show's producers room to breathe and turn realistic series into a can't-miss experience.

The full release from TNT is below. Congrats to the cast and crew.

TNT Renews Acclaimed Drama Series SOUTHLAND

TNT's critically acclaimed drama series SOUTHLAND will return for a fourth season. TNT has ordered 10 new episodes of the gritty, realistic cop drama, which wrapped up its third season March 8. SOUTHLAND stars Michael Cudlitz (Band of Brothers, A River Runs Through It), Shawn Hatosy (Dexter, Public Enemies), Regina King (Ray, Jerry Maguire) and Ben McKenzie (The O.C.). The series has averaged 2.9 million viewers this season, up 6% compared to the second season.

SOUTHLAND comes to TNT from John Wells Productions and Emmy-winning producer John Wells (ER, The West Wing), in association with Warner Bros. Television. Created by Emmy winner Ann Biderman (NYPD Blue, Public Enemies), the series is executive-produced by Emmy winners Christopher Chulack (ER, Third Watch) and Wells. Chulack is also a primary director of the series. Andrew Stearn (Shameless, The West Wing) is co-executive producer.

"SOUTHLAND has been acknowledged by many critics as one of the sharpest, most entertaining and most authentic dramas on television today," said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "John Wells, Chris Chulack and their teams created a brilliant roller coaster ride this season, with countless riveting scenes and unforgettable character arcs. We are extremely proud to have SOUTHLAND on TNT and to bring it back for a fourth season."

TNT's renewal of SOUTHLAND marks the latest chapter for a series that found a new home on television's premier drama network in 2010, after an outpouring of fans and critics campaigned to keep the series alive. SOUTHLAND has redefined the police drama genre with its raw, authentic look at the lives and work of Los Angeles detectives and beat cops. Shot on location in the streets and neighborhoods of Los Angeles, SOUTHLAND captures an environment where similar situations can and often do occur in real life.

In SOUTHLAND, King stars as Detective Lydia Adams, who this year has faced a difficult adjustment period with a new partner and a suspension over leaked crime-scene photos. Officer John Cooper (Cudlitz) is a seasoned cop whose addiction to painkillers is interfering with his performance on the job. His partner, Officer Ben Sherman (McKenzie), came to him as a rookie but is now growing up fast on the force. Detective Sammy Bryant (Hatosy) is part of the LAPD's gang task force who is still reeling from the murder of his partner.